James Bond was a dissolute youth
who spent his nights drinking Vermouth
I was shaken, not stirred
when they gave me the word
that his blood test came back  ninety proof.

Pitch dark night
mutely complains against starlight,
fireflies, moon beams and each spec of light
seeping in from galaxies lost in billion year dreams

The greatest injustice,
in the voice of wind, night murmurs
is light that makes discordant notes
marring the spellbinding orchestra conducted by darkness
extending softly like a drapery of silk, all over the world
rising and falling to an invisible baton's moves, swift or slow.

But her reign, she forgets, is only till sun comes
riding his chariot and seamlessly continue
drowning the music of darkness,
completely in his tenor of light touching alto soon enough

my father is dead
though in the whimsical world of words
I can resurrect him, not in the raining rays
of the Texas sun, but in the darkness
in his Oldsmobile, on a Christmas Eve
bathed in the lighter lights of the season,
their reflections, rolling over our tinted windshields,
littered our eager eyes, in color
and cacophonous taunting,
“ ‘tis the season, ‘tis the season”

the children are not yet
disenchanted by these chants,
thinking still of presents under the tree
some flickering sense of mystery

I, old enough to shave and see the cords
that feed the mocking lights, catch a lump
in my throat, before it fills my eyes with terrible tears
for I know the car will take us back from whence we came
far from the Plaza where we watch the lights,
to the walls where the colors don’t speak
to a place where one day someone will die
and the lights and all my words
will not bring them back

It's a time out I seek,
too many words and poems
read and said,
Too many feelings flow
through my head,
I'm dizzy with it,
Not at all fed up,
That's something else again.

I love my HP friends,
The exchanges,
The encouragement.
The world of computer companionship,
The joy of all the written words.

Yet for now as to this,
Our shared passion,
I do for a time relent.

Pay more attention
to my woman and kids,
Take the dogs for a walk
down by the river bridge.
Seek some sun
and hurry the Spring.
Shoot some photographs,
That do so please.
Rest assured I shall return.

So good friends for a time,
if I do not reply,
That would be the reason why.
Not sick, not dead, just resting.

Poetry is the music to my soul
The words that bring about healing
Putting pen to paper and writing
Leaving emotions open and revealing

Cathartic release as the words flow
Staining the blank white page
Helping to raise and deal with all
The bitterness, sadness and rage

My poetic journey takes me
To places that need to be faced
No matter how hard or painful it may be
How bitter the aftertaste

Emerging from the final line
Renewed, refreshed and calm
Shedding the pain of writing these words
The finish, a soothing balm

Departed from our earthly lives
At peace in heaven
Days are not the same without you
Daddy dearest
Y**ou are loved and missed

Standing at the ocean’s edge
A slight breeze tugs at my hair
The sun shining oh so brightly
A saltiness to the air

Thoughts abound in my head
Emotions running high
Whipped away on wings of wind
A deep contented sigh

Your arms wrapped tight around me
Holding me to your heart so near
Protecting me with your love and strength
Vanquishing all of my fear

Today you asked me to be your wife
Now and forever more
My answer a resounding heartfelt yes
As we stood on that ocean shore

You are my love and my life
Eternal as the deep blue ocean
Droplets of sea spray on your cheeks
Like tears of intense emotion

As we look out at the horizon
As far as the eye can see
So will our love be immeasurable
When you and I become ‘we’

But really girl, the truth relies on writing as it happens
Disregarding fascination's fabrication worn,
Forge ahead through egotisms barriers and banners
Carve the ******* mercilessly till the prize is born.

Truth reveals the factual in an act of contemplation
Contemplation cutting condescention's lies away,
Revealing now the whiteness of the values on the paper
Revealing now the prize of integrity at play.
M.